Well, politics is something which usually doesn't make it to my blog... But an exception can always be made when a strong government makes the lesser known words such as 'Surgical Strike' and 'Demonetization' as the top-trenders overnight...
The social media has gone berserk... The news channels have got the sigh of relief as they won't have to create artificial news items for at least few months, all thanks to NaMo...
A lot has been said about positive impacts of the decision and the nationwide support which is really commendable...
However, there are few things to highlight from a different angle... (I am neither a Modi-fan nor am I anti-Modi)...
Demonetization to curb black money and corruption is a great theoretical tool... However, the actual outputs are yet to be seen...
There are high probabilities that the smart people are getting ways out of this dodgeball game successfully. The others who are not able to figure out the ways, are either burning or flushing down the black money... But due to the humongous amount of tax and penalties (tax plus 200% penalty), no black money hoarders will come in front to surrender... In such case, all such money will not come to the government and will be rendered useless... Government is not likely to get benefited out of it...
An argument is made that even if the money doesn't come to the government, its destruction will reduce the corruption... Well, this is again a doubtful reasoning... Because corruption doesn't lie in money, it lies in mentality... So even if this so called economic detox may temporarily make the bribers out of money to bribe... But it is just a symptomatic relief... and not the permanent one...
If the government tries to find out the roots of the problem that why a person tries to save tax, it is very evident that the disproportionate assets have their roots in disproportionate taxation system... The ridiculous 10, 20, and 30% income tax slabs mean that if someone is working hard and earning high, they are doing it not for themselves but just for paying higher and higher taxes... It is disheartening to see that the taxes paid by honest working class people are used to build free houses for the people who illegally occupy lands and create (and recreate) slums everywhere throughout the country... 10% of a high-salaried person is proportionately higher than 10% of a low-salaried person... As simple as that... This unjust system taking 30% income tax from high-earning individuals plants the seeds of evil ways to save taxes in the minds of the citizens... If these tax slabs are normalized for all, there will be a real economic balance...
People act from perspectives. Salaried people who are least impacted are welcoming the decision of demonetization... The ones who are impacted may or may not be saying it out loud but they are kind of pissed off... The fact is each one of us is biased depending on our own situation in current scenario...
When we talk of the 'patriotism' of the 'common man' standing in long queues... Well, not to undermine the spirit of a common man, but the fact is, it is 'imposed patriotism', not a voluntary one... Human psychology to take the credit of the situation comes down handy here... In simpler words, most of us who are praising the decision despite enduring the pain, are simply boosting their egos by conveniently proclaiming themselves as the most patriotic creature (consciously or subconsciously)...
The most worrisome part of the whole process is that there is no genuine opposition... RaGa and Kejri are not taken seriously by anyone for obvious reasons... People have revalidated their verdict of electing Modi as PM by hugely supporting Modi's decisions... It is good to see the highest majority of the country having similar opinion... Till now, it's all good... I see the problem when the people start following a leader so religiously that they don't even want to listen to any reasoning against it... I have seen Modi-fans slamming and condemning anyone and everyone who even tries to open their mouth against it even with logic... I see democracy being a bit suffocated somewhere...
All in all, we the commoners of India, even if we are not sure of the outcomes, will give a benefit of doubt, and will support our elected PM in such well-intentioned decisions... But I urge to my fellow citizens to not blindly support any leader... Let's follow the voice of reason... Let's learn to live with a logical opposition as well to keep the authorities in check... Please let the democracy prevail... Let the sanity prevail...
The social media has gone berserk... The news channels have got the sigh of relief as they won't have to create artificial news items for at least few months, all thanks to NaMo...
Photo credits: qz.com
A lot has been said about positive impacts of the decision and the nationwide support which is really commendable...
However, there are few things to highlight from a different angle... (I am neither a Modi-fan nor am I anti-Modi)...
Demonetization to curb black money and corruption is a great theoretical tool... However, the actual outputs are yet to be seen...
There are high probabilities that the smart people are getting ways out of this dodgeball game successfully. The others who are not able to figure out the ways, are either burning or flushing down the black money... But due to the humongous amount of tax and penalties (tax plus 200% penalty), no black money hoarders will come in front to surrender... In such case, all such money will not come to the government and will be rendered useless... Government is not likely to get benefited out of it...
An argument is made that even if the money doesn't come to the government, its destruction will reduce the corruption... Well, this is again a doubtful reasoning... Because corruption doesn't lie in money, it lies in mentality... So even if this so called economic detox may temporarily make the bribers out of money to bribe... But it is just a symptomatic relief... and not the permanent one...
If the government tries to find out the roots of the problem that why a person tries to save tax, it is very evident that the disproportionate assets have their roots in disproportionate taxation system... The ridiculous 10, 20, and 30% income tax slabs mean that if someone is working hard and earning high, they are doing it not for themselves but just for paying higher and higher taxes... It is disheartening to see that the taxes paid by honest working class people are used to build free houses for the people who illegally occupy lands and create (and recreate) slums everywhere throughout the country... 10% of a high-salaried person is proportionately higher than 10% of a low-salaried person... As simple as that... This unjust system taking 30% income tax from high-earning individuals plants the seeds of evil ways to save taxes in the minds of the citizens... If these tax slabs are normalized for all, there will be a real economic balance...
People act from perspectives. Salaried people who are least impacted are welcoming the decision of demonetization... The ones who are impacted may or may not be saying it out loud but they are kind of pissed off... The fact is each one of us is biased depending on our own situation in current scenario...
When we talk of the 'patriotism' of the 'common man' standing in long queues... Well, not to undermine the spirit of a common man, but the fact is, it is 'imposed patriotism', not a voluntary one... Human psychology to take the credit of the situation comes down handy here... In simpler words, most of us who are praising the decision despite enduring the pain, are simply boosting their egos by conveniently proclaiming themselves as the most patriotic creature (consciously or subconsciously)...
The most worrisome part of the whole process is that there is no genuine opposition... RaGa and Kejri are not taken seriously by anyone for obvious reasons... People have revalidated their verdict of electing Modi as PM by hugely supporting Modi's decisions... It is good to see the highest majority of the country having similar opinion... Till now, it's all good... I see the problem when the people start following a leader so religiously that they don't even want to listen to any reasoning against it... I have seen Modi-fans slamming and condemning anyone and everyone who even tries to open their mouth against it even with logic... I see democracy being a bit suffocated somewhere...
All in all, we the commoners of India, even if we are not sure of the outcomes, will give a benefit of doubt, and will support our elected PM in such well-intentioned decisions... But I urge to my fellow citizens to not blindly support any leader... Let's follow the voice of reason... Let's learn to live with a logical opposition as well to keep the authorities in check... Please let the democracy prevail... Let the sanity prevail...
I agree with you, Hardik. Nicely written.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vidhi :)
DeleteFantastic depiction from a neutral perspective. You are right by many ways to one. The people in this democracy have been swayed into the thought that by extracting the black money, we would see a change. However, this is just a positive side of it. There is a blind spot to it as well when you said that their is no rationalistic approach to this entire irrevocable strike. We have to pay heed to constructive criticism rather that being mere scapegoats. In democracy, popularity is a prerogative and there is no better way to earn it than being a rabble rouser.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you... Thanks Vamshi :)
DeleteVery nicely summed up Hardik ,what goes in the mind of a person who works hard for each penny, especially the part of forced patriotism.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to any change , it is chaotic in the beginning but to make things fall in places major role comes to the policy maker and executers.
Thanks a lot :) sorry but couldn't identify you 'innocent rebel'??
DeleteNicely written Hardik!
ReplyDeleteThanks Atul :)
DeleteNice one Hardik! I am totally confused as to how this bold decision by the govt curb corruption....I think long way to go....
ReplyDeleteWell keep writing....
Thanks Venkat:) That we have to see.. what comes out in a long term
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAs always: Nice with everything in a miniature.From my perspective, why people are following blindly Modi ji is that we are unable to find an option to him. A bold, graceful person has come in the authority after a big time.Ultimately what we all wants is peace and prosperity and the safety.Hope for the best :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Astha.. Yep, fingers crossed.
DeleteAgree with your thoughts, very calmly and humbly written. Great!!
ReplyDeleteThanks :) sorry but couldn't identify you 'unknown'?
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